Archive for December, 2007
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from all of the staff and Volunteers at CERCOPAN!
A couple of days ago I was handed a letter from the Conservation club of Agoi Ibami. I found it very touching and would like to share it with you. “Community secondary school, Agoi Ibami gives Kudos to CERCOPAN The popularity of the school conservation club started when it participated in the CERCOPAN banner contest. In this contest, the school took first position. The club members were given certificate of participation and trips to Calabar and Rhoko Camp were also arranged for the conservation club members. This trip afforded the club members to see live monkeys in cages in Calabar and monkeys in the wild in Rhoko Camp. The educational unit of CERCOPAN also organised intra school debate. This contest afforded the students the opportunity to speak in public as well as added something to their curriculum. One of the most interesting activities that CERCOPAN ever organised was the release of Mona monkeys. The monkeys that gain their freedom were happy but the organisations, schools and personalities that graced the occasion were happier. To drive home their happiness, all of the speeches that were rendered borded on how to promote as well as embrace conservation of Nature and Primates. The school conservation clubs that were present displays, drama, quiz and display of word cards. All of these school activities were all aimed at exposing the damage inherent in destruction of nature without replacement. The climax was “All should promote conservation”. The good works of CERCOPAN must not be wasted. To this end the youths, the stakeholders, farmers and all of the forest users should hear and understand the language of conservation and the ban on killing of monkeys”
The reason that this letter struck a particular chord with me was that it proved others had been similarly affected by the release occasion. As conservationists, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and disillusioned by the magnitude of the task we set ourselves. It is sometimes difficult to see how we will ever make a difference when despite monumental effort by people around the world, forests and animals continue to disappear and attitudes often remain unchanged. The release occasion was special to me because for the first time ever, I no longer felt the aim of my job was to stall for time in the hope that circumstances would change before nothing was left. I felt as though we had changed circumstances, we were winning and that all of our hard work was truly worthwhile.
When CERCOPAN first began working with the village of Iko Esai in 2000, monkeys were hunted, the forest was being logged and conservation was a word that people simply didn’t use. Seven years on, the 300ha core area is fully protected from all forms of exploitation, the village have imposed a ban on hunting monkeys and conservation is becoming a part of daily life. On the 9th November we organised an occasion in the village to mark the release of three mona monkeys into the core area. The aim of the event was to raise awareness of the release project within Iko Esai and in the neighbouring communities of Owai, Agoi Ibami, Ekperem and Ifumpka. Although we set an agenda, we gave the villages’ free reign to present whatever deemed appropriate.
It is difficult to select one particular part of the release occasion that affected me most, to be quite frank there were just so many memorable moments. It could have been when the Igban dancers presented “Allow monkey to live”, or when the children cautioned through drama and song that they would be left with nothing if destructive activities were allowed to continue. I certainly had tears in my eyes when person after person, from village after village, stood up and proclaimed the desperate need to protect their natural heritage. In the end however, I believe the greatest impact for me was hearing a crowd of over a thousand people from many different communities all chanting “Allow monkey to live” in unison. When you spend each day working to protect and conserve primates, what could ever mean more than that? Please click on the small video clip below to view an impassioned speech on the release occasion.
First of all I would like to say a big thank you to Muriel T for our first ever donation on wildlife direct! With over 150 primates in captivity between Calabar and Rhoko searching for funds is a constant battle and every donation really is so appreciated. Things have been rather hectic this week as I spent several days in Rhoko monitoring the progress of our work there. I absolutely love visiting the forest, it definitely beats sitting at a computer or accounting, unfortunately I can never manage to find the time to go as often as I would like. One of the highlights of this trip was visiting our release monkeys Bebe, Nko and July. On 1st November this year we released this family group into the community forest of our host community Iko Esai. July the 7 year old male is the leader of the group and protects the others from any potential threats. Bebe is only three and spends most of her time following the adults. My favourite however is Nko, she is 12 years old and probably one of the most intelligent monkeys that has ever passed through the gates of CERCOPAN (as evidenced not only by her own ability to find a way to escape from any cage, but also to train others in her craft).
Nko resting on a branch This was my first trip to see the group since the release and I could not wait to find out how they were doing in their new forest home. Before leaving base camp, I contacted Sylvain on the radio to determine their location. Sylvain our Mona monkey project officer and three research assistants (Etan, Usor and Ayitu) follow the monkeys daily from dawn to dusk using radio telemetry, so it is always easy to find out where they are. Richard offered to accompany me, explaining that he had been too busy to visit the monas for a few days. Personally, I think he just didn’t want me heading out alone as he knows very well that I am still not all that familiar with the grid system they used to navigate the site! After walking for about 30 minutes, I heard monkeys calling and branches rustling. No matter how many times I come across primates in the wild, the experience never loses its magic. My heart pounds, the excitement rises and whatever else I had planned goes completely out of my head. On this occasion, I had discovered a group of putty nose and red eared guenons. I work with these animals every day, but this was my first ever encounter with them in the wild and it truly was amazing. Thankfully after some good views of the group we lost them, had we not, I very much doubt that anything else would have been achieved that day. Not long after my wild monkey encounter I heard the call of a mona and seconds later saw July leap between branches. I had actually expected the monkeys to look a little thinner and more dishevelled after their first few weeks of adapting to life in the wild. I was therefore understandably shocked to see July, looking sleek, muscular and extremely healthy. He looked every bit the wild dominant male as I watched him lead the group in their search for food. Nko and Bebe were also looking very fit, although I did notice, from the small sores, that Bebe had been attacked by Timbu fly. It is astounding how quickly they have managed to adapt their behaviour to fit their new surroundings, although with Nko in the group I should never have expected anything less.
I observed the group quietly for some time while Sylvain continued with his behavioural data collection. The data the Mona team are collecting not only allows us to monitor the progress of the group, but also provides valuable information on primate behaviour, captive management and the reintroduction process. For example, our discovery that the monkeys are currently spending a very high proportion of their time foraging on insects could be a product of the season, but it could also mean that we need to start supplementing our captive monas with even more protein.
I walked back from the forest mid afternoon feeling a little tired but very pleased with myself. It’s not often that you are able to see three species of wild monkey in one day!
There are many components which have contributed to the success of our community programme, but the most important has been establishing royalties, community development projects and employment. In 2006, we started the sustainable livelihoods program in Iko Esai and worked with the youth association to sponsor 9 men and 9 women in alternative livelihood apprenticeships (driving, sewing, baking). We also trained and sponsored 4 groups of men and women for training in snail farming, bread baking workshops and small business development.
Bread making training in Iko Esai Our latest project is to build a community centre in the village. The centre will include a visitor area, small library with reading rooms and a classroom/ meeting room. We hope to hold adult literacy classes at night (after people have returned from farm), health seminars about HIV and the benefits of clean water etc and sustainable livelihoods training. The centre will also be used as a centre for conservation education where we will offer lectures and show films about wildlife. When I first announced the building of the community centre to the Chiefs council a few months ago, everyone became deadly quiet. After a few moments the clan head, Chief Etan spoke and said “Sometimes it is impossible to put into words how you feel”. He then disappeared and was away quite some time before returning with a grin on his face brandishing a large bunch of bananas. In my own country we say it with flowers, but it seems in Iko Esai, when words are simply not enough, you say it with bananas.
Members of the Chiefs Council - Centre Chief Owai, (Traditional ruler), Left Chief Etan (Clan Head) A couple of days ago, Chief Etan and Chief Owai (the traditional ruler) took me to visit the land that they are donating for the centre. It was difficult to tell which of us was most excited. Obviously it will be a long process and this was only the first step, but from small beginnings big things can grow. We are now seeking funds in order to complete the centre, watch this space over the coming months to read about our progress.
Claire, Richard and Mike (Community Liaison Officer) visiting the new Community Centre site
Mottie, the Mona monkey shown in the shocking pictures in our introductory blog, has recently been moved into a new enclosure. After eight years without seeing another monkey, he is now sharing a home with mona orphans Offiong, Okon, Esai, Netim and Mary. As you can see he is very much the doting father, being protective of them if he feels they are threatened (even by a camera), spending considerable time carrying, grooming and playing with the young ones.
Mottie giving a warning look to the camera when he feels Offiong is threatened Unfortunately, Mottie is also very protective of his food and so needs to be separated at meal times. His behaviour is understandable given that he arrived severely malnourished and had been fed nothing but garri (ground cassava) and the occasional banana for his entire life. He had also developed a compulsion for stalking, catching and eating flies. Sadly, supplementing his diet in this way was probably how he managed to stay alive as long as he did. Mottie’s age and the length of time he spent alone, mean that he will never be a prime candidate for release. Nevertheless, he is happy, healthy, well fed, surrounded by his own kind, and will never again be without suitable food or friends.
I had barely walked through the door yesterday, when my manager’s phone started to ring. “I know where there is a monkey” a woman’s voice informed me “is that CERCOPAN?” We often receive calls of this nature. People seldom give their name and it is rare the person on the line can tell us what type of primate they have seen, but each call fills me with hope. Our message is obviously getting through. The woman gave a good description of where the primate was being held and explained “It’s been there a long time, chained outside in all weathers”. I thanked her and said we would send someone round immediately. Jerry the Senior education officer generally attends such confiscations, accompanied by our vet Uche. On this occasion however, a third member of the team would be required. The monkey was in a notorious part of Calabar, which even the police are nervous to visit. Abonema and the chain that held him for over two years. Jerry, Uche and Richard, (the Rhoko Camp Manager), arrived at the scene to find a male mangabey chained to a rusty fridge in full sun, with neither shelter nor water. Although the dusty piece of waste ground was initially deserted, they quickly found themselves surrounded by a gang of about 20 large men. When Jerry asked about the owner of the monkey, a man stepped forward and blew marijuana in his face, obviously hoping to provoke a reaction. In the thirty minutes that followed, the gang smoked and sold drugs openly and Jerry heard them debating whether or not they should beat their visitors. He also noticed them offer a cigarette to the mangabey. Eventually Jerry was handed a phone and the voice on the other end asked if he was there representing CERCOPAN. The caller explained that CERCOPAN staff had been there once before, and that whilst he had managed to hide the animal on that occasion, he knew one day we would return. To everyone’s relief, the man soon appeared, tensions eased and Jerry was able to explain why monkeys do not make good pets. Whilst it is illegal to keep primates as pets in Nigeria, we prefer to educate people about the law and the natural needs of monkeys, rather than arriving on the scene with law enforcement officers. In this case, despite initial appearances, the owners of the monkey turned out to be understanding and rather amicable. With repeat offenders however, a more heavy handed approach is necessary and in such cases we are supported by the appropriate enforcement authorities. A bystander providing water for Abonema. As the animal was being placed into a travel case, the gang requested cash so that they could stage a party to say goodbye. Owners often ask for money, but once they realise that we will NEVER pay, they are usually happy to donate their monkey and some even visit CERCOPAN to check on their former pet’s progress. Jerry refused their request and explained that by taking responsibility for the animal we would actually incur considerable costs in terms of vaccinations, food and shelter. Uche kindly offered to treat the man’s dog for free however and in response the man told him that he had named the monkey “Abonema”. Abonema arrived at CERCOPAN HQ to a very warm welcome and of course a banana. He was placed into quarantine, where he will be monitored for three months before starting a new life with monkeys of his own kind. Although we were all very excited about the arrival of a new mangabey, the first in 2 years, I could not help but feel downhearted. His very presence signals that yet another of these magnificent endangered animals has been taken from the dwindling wild population, probably after his mother was shot for meat. Whatever the future holds for Abonema, I know that his life changed for the better today. Who knows, one day he may even join our release programme and be given another chance at living free.
Abonema in his new home.
This is me, Claire Coulson, Deputy Director transferring Mickey and Big Qua to their outdoor enclosure. CERCOPAN is dedicated to primate conservation through the rehabilitation of endangered primates, environmental education, forest protection, and research. CERCOPAN’s Director Zena Tooze, founded the project in 1995. Based in Calabar, Cross River State, CERCOPAN is now a non-governmental non-profit organisation with charity registration in the UK and in progress in Nigeria. The forest site at Rhoko (near the host community of Iko Esai) is a Centre for Research, Education and Conservation and isnow also growing ecotourism destination. FOREST CONSERVATION CERCOPAN has secured the protection of over 20,000 hectares of tropical rainforest in partnership with the local community—Nigeria has lost over 90% of its rainforests and more than half of the remaining 10% is found within Cross River State. These forests, along with those in Southwest Cameroon, are collectively known as the “Cross River Rainforests”, and are regarded as one of Africa’s 5 forest biodiversity hotspots. RESCUE AND REHABILITATION OF FOREST PRIMATES
Mona monkey mottie when he arrived on 05/03/07
Mottie on 12/04/07 after only one month of care at Cercopan
CERCOPAN has over 150 primates of 6 different species in various stages of rehabilitation, most of them orphaned by the bush meat trade. Three of these (the Sclater’s guenon, Preuss’ guenon and the red-eared guenon)are endangered and only found in this region of Africa. They represent the future for /in situ /captive breeding in these highly endangered primates. These primates serve as a focus for education, and act as ambassadors for conservation. Due to the illegal bushmeat trade combined with CERCOPAN’s very successful education campaign, more and more primates enter the gates of CERCOPAN every month. Consequently the primate rehabilitation facilities at Rhoko and Calabar are full. CERCOPAN plans to expand their facilities on a new site, building more enclosures and a larger education centre in the near future to meet this demand. On the 1st November 2007 history was made by CERCOPAN. 3 Mona guenons were released (with radio tracking collars) into the core protected area at Rhoko, our forest site where biodiversity and primate research is carried out. These were the first ever primates to be released in West Africa (and our research assistants are following them and collecting data). This exciting data will help with subsequent releases CERCOPAN is planning over the next few years. EDUCATION Education is an integral and vital part of our programme, both in rural and urban environments. Each term we conduct outreach programmes in over 50 schools and 2 universities. Conservation Clubs are functioning in 4 schools and 2 universities. CERCOPAN also has a Calabar-based conservation club since 2003 comprising of over 25 members. The group consists of highly motivated and interested students from secondary schools in Calabar. CERCOPAN receives over 30,000 visitors a year at Calabar and Rhoko. Depending on the age and understanding of the visitor, the goal is for visitors to take away a few simple messages about conservation and primates.
Senior Education Officer, Jerry teaching children about the importance of conservation
COMMUNITY CONSERVATION THROUGH DEVELOPMENT We firmly believe in working closely and cooperatively with our host community and their neighbours. CERCOPAN strives to ensure excellent community relations through a regular community newsletter and the employment of several staff dedicated to community development including a Community Programme Officer, Education Assistant and Small Scale Micro-enterprise advisor. In addition, twenty one of our thirty five Nigerian staff are from Iko Esai. CERCOPAN has begun working with three main target groups in the community; women, youths and hunters, helping them to earn an alternative income. These micro-enterprises will include activities such as snail farming, bee keeping, bread making and basket weaving and will be at a very local, low cost level providing a source of food for the community. |
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